[Forsaken: New beginning.] :bonus: Old friends. (art app: Kleki) (this au, anyone who's male or female, WILL GO BY THEIR GENDERS. I CANNOT DO THEY/THEM AND STUFF LIKE THAT, I TEND TO FORGET.) Typhon's forest was hot today. It was the start of leaffall. Noob has been on this planet for so long. They nearly forgot what the forsaken realm was. They've seen other survivors, yes, but they were busy with their own stuff. Guest 1337 was fighting with the militia after taking their side in the war with the IMC. Shedletsky and Brighteyes are Mercenaries now... Chance tried killing him multiple times, Dusekkar, Taph, and Two Time were striking out on their own, living off of scavenged supplies, and sometimes Two Time took mercenary contracts for assassinations. Noob... they were alone. Not that it bothered them very much. They were used to it by now. They tried getting along with the factions, but it just didn't work. They either thought they were a threat, a failed science experiment, or 'just not useful at all' said the Militia. Now, they worked for Rampart in the underground market. It was a fine job. They got paid well, They were useful to someone, but they didn't really get along with the other mercs. They either tried stealing from them, picking on them, or fighting them. They stayed quiet when they did. The mercs give up after a bit out of boredom. Noob was a busy man these days. He's been sent out more often for supply runs. Right now, they were recovering from a failed run. IMC outgunned them and drove them off. Noob sat against the trunk of a tree, patching up a few bullet wounds they had gotten with gauze and bandages. They sighed and winced as they wiped around a leg wound clean the best they could before wrapping the bandage around it. Noob leaned back against the tree once they had finished. They looked up at the canopy, then got distracted by a dust mote that was highlighted by a shaft of sunlight. They watched it as it whirled away. They took out a data tablet and scrolled through it, looking for Rampart's contact so they could report the failed run. They looked up again as They heard the snap of a branch. Noob furrowed their brow, scanning the canopy, then slips out a pistol with one hand, the other hand holding the data tablet. Noob stared at the tree the snap came from, craning their head to sight better, but They saw nothing. they glanced back at their data tablet and tapped a quick report to Rampart then tucked it away. They stood up, favoring their injured leg. They limped forwards, slowly, scanning the trees with his pistol raised and held in both hands. They still saw nothing. Their shoulders sagged in relief. it was probably just the local wild life. They holstered the pistol back onto their belt and turned away. Another crack. Noob whipped their head back around then screamed in pure terror as the familiar form of Guest 666 lunged out of the shadows and barreled into Noob. Sixer dug his claws into Noob's shoulders, his grin actually looked more happy than malicious. Noob grunted, wiggling under Sixer's grip. "Crap! Not today!" Noob grunted, moving a hand to try and grab their pistol. Sixer made a growling sound, digging his claws harder into Noob's shoulder then stands up. He grabs Noob's shirt and pulls them onto his feet. With a quick gesture, Noob unholsters their pistol and points it at Sixer.
(I have to continue here because the top box kept saying there was a swear word.) Sixer stared down the barrel of the pistol then scowled. Noob began to hyperventilate, gritting their teeth and watching Sixer. They noticed that Sixer looked much more human now, but was still a red and black beast, but it was still terrifying. "D-Drop- me." Noob spoke in small gasps. Sixer tilted his head, his tail visible behind him and waving side to side. Noob gulped after a few seconds of tense silence. "P-please?" Sixer made a rumbling sound then dropped Noob, flexing his claws afterwards. Noob felt their shirt collar with one hand, their other still holding up the pistol. Sixer's tail waved up high and side to side as he watched Noob. Noob took a step back. Sixer was acting unusual. Noob wasn't dead yet. Yay. But they were still terrified. Sixer reached a claw out and pushed the pistols barrel towards the ground. Noob almost flinched, but managed to hide it well. Sixer reached forwards again to tap a claw against Noob's forehead but Noob pulled their head back, raising their pistol once more. Sixer paused then pulled his hand back. Noob inhaled deeply, trying to keep Their breathing under control. They didn't need to have a panic attack now. Sixer stepped forwards slowly, tilting his head. Noob stepped back once more, their breathing hitching. Sixer made a deep sighing sound then turned to walk in a circle around Noob. Noob watched, Their pistol still raised. Sixer's grin shrank. He looked more upset now. Noob noticed and after a few moments they lowered their pistol just slightly. "Six...?" Noob said slowly and with a bit of caution. "Are... are you okay...?" Sixer stepped forwards once more, outstretching his claws to the side. . . . A hug. Noob watched for a second longer then sobbed and threw their pistol onto the ground. They then ran up to Sixer and flung their arms around Sixer's waist. Sixer wrapped his arms around Noob, his claws slightly digging into Noob's back and arms. Noob didnt care. They nuzzled their face into Sixer's Maine, quietly crying. Sixer's tail wrapped around Noob gently and Sixer rested his chin on Noob's head. They stood in the clearing together in a silent embrace they've both wanted for decades. They stood there for a long time, refusing to let go of each other. Refusing to pull away and risk the chance that they'll never be able to do this again. Noob finally looked up at Sixer, tears streaking down their face. (Continued in comments. ran out of room)
